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Age Concern Torbay’s Handyperson project has triumphed through to the UK final of The National Lottery Awards 2006 after being voted the West and South West’s favourite Lottery-funded project.

In a public vote‚ thousands showed their support for Age Concern Torbay in its quest to claim the title. The charity successfully overcame stiff competition from three other local projects‚ initially selected from hundreds‚ for its prestigious place in the final.

Age Concern Torbay realised that many older residents in the area were losing their independence due to their inability to carry out small practical tasks in their own homes. The inability to carry out these tasks‚ such as fitting smoke alarms or fixing shelves‚ had also made some people a target for rogue traders and conmen.

To address this problem‚ and with the help of £96‚779 Lottery funding from the Big Lottery Fund‚ Age Concern established the Handyperson scheme. The scheme provides trustworthy and skilled workers for the odd jobs that older people cannot do themselves. This simple but effective solution has helped over 8‚000 older residents in the Torbay area maintain their independence.

Robin Causley‚ Director of Age Concern Torbay‚ is delighted to be through to the UK finals‚ saying: "Thanks to Lottery funding‚ the Handyperson service has proved invaluable to many older people by allowing them to remain independent in their own homes. It is a simple idea but has had such a positive effect on the elderly people who have been able to stay at home thanks to the help they receive from our team."

Now‚ Age Concern Torbay need your vote‚ as they compete in the Inspiration category in the finals of the Awards. They are up against The Food Chain‚ a charity providing meals and nutrition advice to those with HIV/Aids and The Bulls Wheelchair Rugby Club‚ which provides a sporting outlet for people in wheelchairs. 

Winners will be announced during a special BBC 1 programme‚ ‘Everyone’s a Winner’‚ on National Lottery Day‚ Saturday 23 September. The show will be hosted by Noel Edmonds.

To register your vote for Age Concern Torbay call 0845 434 9068 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk and click on National Lottery Awards. Voting lines are open now and close at 6.00pm on Friday 22 September 2006.

The National Lottery Awards recognise the hard work and dedication of people who use Lottery funding to make a difference to communities across the UK. Since The National Lottery began in 1994‚ more than £18.6 billion has been raised and over 240‚000 grants given out across arts‚ sport‚ heritage‚ charities‚ health‚ education and the environment.

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Notes to editor:

• Calls to vote are charged at a BT local landline cost of 1.5p
• There are four categories in the UK finals of The National Lottery Awards that highlight the breadth of Lottery funding:
• Children’s Champion – open to projects directly benefiting children and young people
• Local Legend - recognising the outstanding achievements of local people
• Amazing Space – celebrating creative projects from iconic new buildings to bridges‚ open spaces‚ parks‚ squares and city centre regeneration schemes
• Inspiration – celebrating the most innovative and creative use of Lottery funding
• Winning projects receive a trophy and all finalists are invited to attend the Awards presentation event where they will rub shoulders with celebrities and take part in the special BBC Lottery television show‚ ‘Everyone’s a Winner’. Projects gain well-deserved recognition and receive high profile publicity enabling them to share their success with people across the UK. (It is not a monetary award.)  
• For every pound spent on The National Lottery‚ 28p goes to Good CausesFor more information about the Awards visit The National Lottery Good Causes website: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

For further media information please contact:
Clare Richardson on 020 7299 8766 or Nicola Green on 020 7299 8764
Email-  clare.richardson@geronimocommunications.com or nicola.green@geronimocommunications.com

For general enquiries please contact us.

Journalists contact:

Age Concern England
Zena Ambrose 
Telephone:
020 8765 7516